OUR
COMMITMENT:
To educate people,
give them the latest,
most reliable information so they can make well-informed
decisions for their own
or their loved ones' health.

HCV/ HIV Co-infection

Because both HCV and HIV are transmitted by exposure to infected blood or contaminated body secretions, co-infections are an important problem, especially among injection drug users, those individuals who practice unprotected sex, and among the newborn of co-infected women. Current estimates suggest that about 30% of HIV infected individual are also HCV-positive and about 5% of HCV infected individuals also are HIV-positive.

In general co-infected patients have higher levels of HCV than patients infected by HCV alone. In recent years liver disease from hepatitis C has become the leading non-AIDS cause of death in the U.S. for individuals coinfected with HIV. With the introduction of more effective therapies for HIV, people with HIV are living longer. If they are co-infected with HCV, there is more time for other complications of chronic hepatitis C to develop – cirrhosis, liver cancer, and end-stage liver disease. Among co-infected pregnant women, those with high levels of HCV are more likely to transmit HCV to their newborn.

Treatment of HCV/HIV co-infected patients with pegylated interferon and ribavirin has been less successful than treatment of those with HCV alone, and because of specific drug interactions, changes in HIV anti-retroviral drug treatments may be necessary. Few studies of treatment with HCV protease inhibitors plus pegylated interferon and ribavirin are available.

NEW: AIDS.gov HIV Testing Sites
& Care Services Locator Map

The HIV Testing Sites & Care Services Locator is a first-of-its-kind, location-based search tool that allows you to search for testing services, housing providers, health centers and other service providers near your current location.

Project Inform is very pleased
to announce the 2014 Hepatitis C
Drug Guide,
published by Positively Aware, a bi-monthly publication
from the Test Positive Aware Network in Chicago. Download the PDF guide
to read the latest in treatment information for hepatitis C
in mono-infected and
co-infected people.

HCV/HIV
CO-INFECTION
STRATEGIES

The CDC recommends coinfected drug users should:

Stop injecting drugs, get into substance abuse treatment, and stay in treatment; if unable to stop, use sterile syringes and equipment and do not share drug solution, syringes, or preparation equipment

Stop drinking alcoholic beverages; get into substance abuse treatment and stay in treatment; if unable to stop limit drinking to limit further liver damage

Practice safer personal care and sexual behaviors: do not share toothbrushes or razors, use condoms consistently, and limit the number of sex partners, get treatment for sexually transmitted diseases

Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B

Get regular check-ups to monitor overall health and status of liver disease